A Window Into The White House

FAST FACTS
• Under the George W. Bush Administration, the Weekly Radio Address was taped and shared through audio podcasts.
• In 1982, Ronald Reagan revived the Weekly Radio Address, and each president since has continued the practice.
• Pete Souza was also a White House photographer for President Ronald Reagan and a freelancer photographer for National Geographic.
• It is customary for the President's Weekly Radio Address to be followed by a response from a member of the opposing political party.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS TEXT

1. What does White House Photo Editor Alice Gabriner look for in selecting the right photographs to present to the public? [Answer: She looks at a photograph’s sense of light, composition, color, exposure and a special “feeling” she might have about the photograph.]
2. Under President Obama, who has final approval over the photographs his administration releases to the public? [Answer: The White House Communications staff.]
3. Why did President Obama decide not to personally approve all the photographs released to the public while Lyndon B. Johnson did? [Answer: Digital photography has made it easier to take many more photographs. The Obama Administration photographers take 20,000-80,000 photographs per month.]

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS & ANSWERS TEXT

4. Why do presidents and their staff review photographs before they are released? [Answer: They review the photographs to make sure they portray a positive image of the president and his administration.]